"With the isolation factor that Esperance has we genuinely thought that we would be announced. We have an NBN working group up and running, which is looking at developing an action plan to ensure this community can take full advantage of it. It has come as a very big surprise and a disappointing surprise."

Work in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kambalda and Coolgardie is scheduled to commence in June 2014 and be completed by the following December.